Lisa Karen Carper
Lisa Karen Carper
Lisa Karen Carper, 61, of Shepherdstown, died Saturday, Dec. 16 after many years of illness. She was born on March 4, 1956, the beloved daughter of Jean Carper and the deceased Dr. Howard Carper Jr. Lisa lived her entire life in Shepherdstown. She attended Shepherdstown High School and was in the second graduating class of Jefferson High School. As a teenager, she excelled in equestrian sports and taught many children to swim.
Lisa received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Shepherd University and received her master’s degree from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg. Professionally, Lisa served for several years as a residence hall director at Shepherd and as a teacher at Southern Seminary (now Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista).
Lisa began her career as a social worker employed by the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia. The majority of her career was spent as a social worker, and later as the Coordinator of Student Services for Jefferson County Schools. She was a tireless advocate for students of Jefferson County and made a difference in the lives of many children. While she was engaged in many different facets of the student, school and parent relationship, she was able to work toward the needed bridges required to help resolve challenging circumstances. She mediated and facilitated solutions to help high-risk students succeed in the school setting. Lisa was intimately involved with, and supportive of, the “Shoe and Coat Fund,” which still meets the needs of students of Jefferson County today.
Lisa carried herself with much grace, generosity and humor and she was often inspirational to those who were close to her. She encouraged others to shine amidst any and all odds. She was a warrior for peace and justice and lived by the mantra “live in the solution, not the problem.” She will be dearly missed.
Lisa is survived by her mother, Jean Carper of Shepherdstown; her brother, Tad Carper, and wife, Ann, of Avon, Ohio, and their children; Madison Howard, and husband, Joe of Alexandria, Virginia; Clay and Libby Carper, also of Avon, Ohio; aunt, Gail Russell and husband, Glenn, of Newport News, Virginia; their daughter and cousin Amy Hartley and son and cousin Wesley Russell, both of Richmond, Virginia; and uncle, Ronald Carper, of West Chester, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Hutzler, and father, Dr. Howard Carper Jr.
Condolences may be expressed at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are pending, but memorial donations in Lisa’s name can be made to:
Jefferson County Shoe & Coat Fund
Attn: Mary Ellen Lloyd
Jefferson County Schools
110 Mordington Ave.
Charles Town, WV 25414